RESIDENTS have called for tougher sentencing and better police resourcing during a public hearing on the Making Queensland Safer Amendment Bill 2025, voicing frustration over rising crime and limited frontline services.
The hearing, hosted by the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee at the Alexandra Hills Hotel, was one of four across Queensland as part of a statewide consultation on the proposed law, which seeks to impose stricter penalties on repeat juvenile offenders.
State Member for Capalaba and Committee member Russell Field said the turnout was strong and the sentiment clear.
“People have had enough,” Mr Field said.
“Over the past eight years, not much has changed – and in many cases, things have gotten worse.”
Redland Bay resident Lee Cooper, who lives opposite a skate park he described as a hotspot for youth violence, urged the Queensland Government to reopen the suburb’s police station full-time, saying rising crime and rapid growth were overwhelming local services.
“Our community is growing fast – new estates are going up everywhere – but we’ve got fewer police services than we had years ago,” Mr Cooper said.
He said residents were often left feeling unsafe and unsupported, even after reporting serious incidents, including threats with weapons.
State Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni, also on the Committee, asked Mr Cooper to rate his concern about resourcing, especially with 8000 new homes planned for Southern Thornlands.
“At least a seven – probably more,” Mr Cooper said. “We’re virtually becoming a mini-Springfield.
“With the development at Shoreline, Serpentine Rd, and Villa World, we need more resources and longer opening hours at the station, without question.”
He said the Redland Bay Police Station had once operated full-time before being scaled back due to resourcing issues.
Mr Cooper called for that decision to be reversed.
“We support the police, and they do the best they can, but they’re under-resourced,” he said.
“If more people are now joining the force, there’s no reason not to reopen the station full-time.”
State Member for Redlands Rebecca Young, who attended the hearing, said the Government was acting on community safety concerns and investing in frontline policing.
“It was great to speak to Lee (Cooper) today at the hearing when I could inform him that after years of the former Labor Government starving Redland Bay station, we have already given them an extra police officer, a new officer straight from the new recruits, and another to follow soon,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Field said emotional stories from victims highlighted the toll of crime on everyday life.
“One woman said her home feels more like a prison, with everything locked up all the time. That’s not how anyone should have to live,” he said.
While careful not to pre-empt the Committee’s final recommendations, Mr Field said change was needed.
“We can’t keep going the way we have been,” he said.
The Committee is due to hand down its final report and recommendations on May 16.
